We were invited early June to attend the Rocket Festival in Khlong Takrao, a small village in Tha Takiab District in Eastern Chachoensao province, not far from the border with Cambodia.

Although the village is not in Issan, and the Festival is originally an Lao/Issan celebration with roots in Animism, the majority of the village appear to be of Issan origin.

The central theme of the event is the construction of home made rockets, that are fired at the sky, paying respect to the Sky Spirits, and begging them to release the much needed rain, so the new rice crop can be planted.

The first day consists of a big carnival like parade through the village, with huge decorated floats, and many groups of performers, mainly traditional dance, in traditional style costumes.

The groups range in age from school age to mature people, often representing a school, a village or an ethnic group.

The quality of the performance is judged by a jury near the end of the parade, and the winners given a price, and probably a certificate.
It is in good Issan style not always a deeply serious event, but spiced up by a lot of clowning and the third gender is well represented.

The next day there is a big fair, outside the village. This is where the rockets get assembled, charged with gun powder, and launched from a launch pad constructed of wooden poles.

Additional to this, there is a Motor Cross, which I am told is part of the National Championship circuit, and a big stage with bands, singers and dancers in Issan style, playing raucous music in Morlam and Lukthung style, giving the people chance to let their hair down and dance.

The grounds are further occupied by dozens of stalls, selling food, clothes, farm products and many other items. Between the explosions of the departing rockets, the motor bike roar and the music stage it is also a very loud experience. The temperature was in the upper thirties, and the sun was fierce.